Located at 100 HarborView Drive, The HarborView Towers rise 30 stories above Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Named after one of its best assets, The HarborView Towers boast the best views of the water and city skyline from every floor, every unit, and every angle. With luxurious amenities, newly renovated spaces and all of the benefits of urban living, The HarborView Towers offer Baltimore’s only waterfront living, literally on the water. This complex has been built on top of a former shipyard dry dock with water on all three sides. If you want a great harbor view, go to the place named after great harbor views.

The average list price is $414,656 or you can rent for roughly $2,655.

No idea what this flower/plant is called but thought it was unique with the burgundy stems.

LV116 Chesapeake & The Pratt Street Power Plan

June 7, 2018

Another common sight while visiting downtown Baltimore is The Lightship Chesapeake and the PowerPlant Live.

The Pratt Street Power Plant

Also known as the Pier Four Power Plant, The Power Plant, "Pratt Street Toenail", and Pratt Street Station — is a historic former power plant located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, USA. It has undergone significant repurposing development since retirement and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

The structure is a 132-by-326-foot complex of three buildings located at Pratt Street and Pier 4 at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The structures are brick with terra cotta trim and steel frame construction. It was built between 1900 and 1909 and is a massive industrial structure with Neo-Classical detailing designed by the architectural firm of Baldwin & Pennington. It was one of only 11 buildings in the zone of the Baltimore Fire of 1904 to survive that event.
It served as the main source of power for the United Railways and Electric Company, a consolidation of smaller street railway systems, that influenced the provision of citywide transportation and opened up suburban areas of Baltimore to power its electric street railway in the city. It later served as a central steam plant for the Consolidated Gas, Electric Light and Power Company, a predecessor of the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company.
The boilers were coal-fired, and the plant's location on the harbor allowed easy delivery of coal by ship. The location also provided access to cooling water for the condensers, with intake on one side of the pier and discharge on the other.
The plant, with by-then obsolete equipment, was used sparingly until it was returned to service to meet the World War II production demand for electricity.Baltimore Gas & Electric finally ceased use of it in 1973.

After the electric plant was retired from service, the building was vacant several years, eventually becoming acquired by the City of Baltimore. It has since been redeveloped and repurposed for a variety of commercial projects.
The first two attempts at redevelopment - an indoor Six Flags theme park named Six Flags Power Plant (1985–1989) and a short-lived dance club called P.T. Flagg's (1989–1990) - were not successful. Since that time, other projects have had more success. The Power Plant's more recent tenants have included the first ESPN Zone in the country (opened July 11, 1998; closed June 2010 and replaced by Phillips Seafood), Hard Rock Cafe (opened July 4, 1997), Barnes & Noble, Gold's Gym (closed early 2010; and replaced by Pandion Performance Center in June 2015), and loft offices. Maryland Art Place, a contemporary art gallery for Maryland artists, is located in the northwest corner. It lends its name to the nearby Power Plant Live! nightlife complex. In November 2011, the former ESPN Zone space was filled by Phillips seafood restaurant, which moved from its longtime location inside Harborplace.
The Cordish Company has its headquarters on the sixth floor.[5] Cordish also developed the adjacent Pier IV building, whose tenants include Family Meal (a contemporary-diner restaurant by Bryan Voltaggio),[6] Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Dick's Last Resort.

Lightship 116 Chesapeake

When Lightship 116 "Chesapeake" was completed in 1930, she was among the most modern and capable ships in use with the US Lighthouse Service. Part of the vessel class of Lightship No.100, Lightship 116 was constructed from a standard design and boasted the best in stability, signaling capacity, living accommodations, and engineering efficiency then available.

Lightship 116 was built in South Carolina at the Charleston Machine and Drydock Company at a cost of $274,424. The new vessel featured an efficient diesel-electric power-plant (superseding earlier steam powered designs), all-steel construction, and impressive signaling equipment capable of marking her station in all kinds of weather and light conditions. Electricity for the ship's propulsion motor, lighting and machinery was supplied by four 75-kilowatt diesel engine/generator units located in the engine room. Her signaling apparatus consisted of a 13,000 candlepower electric beacon lamp atop each mast (later consolidated on the aft mast), an electric foghorn (later replaced with a compressed-air diaphone), radio beacon, and fog bell mounted on the main deck. The ship was equipped with two 5,000-pound mushroom anchors (one main and a spare) designed to hold her on station in all but the roughest weather.

Lightship 116 was designed for a crew of up to 16 - though normally several were away on shore leave at any given time. Crew accommodations included two-man staterooms for the enlisted men, a crew's mess, and an electrically powered galley and refrigerator unit (a major advancement for 1930). Officers (1st and 2nd Officer, Engineer and Assistant Engineer) had their own staterooms adjacent to their mess (dining room), and the Captain, or Master as he was called in the Lighthouse Service, occupied his own stateroom immediately behind the pilothouse.

The US Lighthouse Service first assigned Lightship 116 to the Fenwick Island Shoal (DE) Station from 1930-33; after that assignment she marked the entrance to Chesapeake Bay until the beginning of World War II. During the war most coastal lightships were withdrawn for security reasons and were often converted for wartime duties. During 1942-45 Lightship 116 was painted battleship gray, armed with two 20mm cannons, and used as a patrol/inspection vessel near the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal. In 1945, Lightship 116 returned to the waters off Cape Henry (VA) where her bright red hull, beacon light and "Chesapeake" station designation guided maritime traffic in and out of the Chesapeake Bay for the next 20 years.

On two occasions (1936 and 1962) while marking the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, Lightship 116 rode out hurricanes so powerful that the ship's anchor chain broke, forcing the crew to drop the spare anchor and run full ahead into the wind for many hours in vain attempts to remain on station.

Despite some equipment upgrades, such as radar, technology began to overtake Lightship 116 by the 1960s. In 1965, the Chesapeake Lightship Station was replaced by a Coast Guard offshore light tower built on stout pilings strong enough to withstand the roughest seas. Manned by a crew of just four, the light tower was cheaper to run and had a more powerful beacon visible for a distance of 17 miles. After being relieved at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Lightship 116's final duty station was marking the approaches to Delaware Bay until replaced there by a large automated light buoy in 1970.

In 1971, Lightship 116 was acquired by the National Park Service and was open to the public on the Potomac River. Since 1982, the ship has been part of the Baltimore Maritime Museum, now Historic Ships in Baltimore, and has continued to serve as an important link with the history of American aids to navigation.

While relatives were in town we took time out to visit Fells Point. I just love the cobblestone streets. You can almost hear the old street cars where now only track remains. Fells has become sought out as a place to live for the young up and coming professionals of Baltimore.

Here is a little history:

Fells Point's is one of Baltimore's oldest neighborhoods, and in fact, was founded long before Baltimore became a city. The town was first settled in 1730 by William Fell, and it soon became a major port and shipbuilding center. In 1797, the town combined with Baltimore Town and Jones Town to form the city of Baltimore. Fells Point's prosperity continued as immigrants flowed to the area to fill the jobs quickly being created. However, the professional class moved north to higher ground and lower densities, leaving behind the area's more diverse working class.

It's this diversity and working class spirit that has imbued most of Fells Point's character throughout the years. The area has some of the largest concentration of bars in the city. But in recent years more boutiques and restaurants have opened to serve the growing professional class that has come back to the area and participated in its gentrification.

Speaking of gentrification, development of the city's posh Harbor East community has replaced aging brownfields and warehouses and served as a bridge, connecting the touristy Inner Harbor in the heart of Baltimore with the Fells Point community. Now one can travel seamlessly through several trendy communities to reach Fells Point. In fact, if you really want to enjoy the scenery, you can stroll the Baltimore Waterfront Promenade to get to Fells Point, or if you dont't feel like walking, take one of the Water Taxis that travel through the area.

Fells Point is about a mile east of downtown Baltimore. Fells Point's two Main Streets include Thames and Broadway while other shops, restaurants, and businesses can be found along Aliceanna, and Fleet Streets. Set your GPS for the intersection of Thames Street and Broadway to find the heart of Fells Point.

Happy Birthday to my mom, my rock, my confidant, my best friend and my biggest supporter. I have a always tried to be like my mom, she is one of the most caring and loving people I know. Thank you for always being there for me and my family no matter what. You have shown us all what true love, loyalty and families are all about. I wish you the most wonderful of all birthdays, if anyone deserves a day off its you. I hope we are able to get the family together next week for dinner. I love you!

I took this while aboard the Urban Pirate Boat in Baltimore. I love getting on the water, it gives you a new perspective of the city .

The Seven Foot Knoll Light was built in 1855 and is the oldest screw-pile lighthouse in Maryland. It was located atop Seven Foot Knoll in the Chesapeake Bay until it was replaced by a modern navigational aid and relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor as a museum exhibit.

Fotoeffects Alphabet Challenge – “A” is for Aquarium, the National Aquarium.

June 3, 2018

I have been so excited for this challenge. I really miss the old Daily….looks like T’s Travels may be back as well ;)

The nonprofit National Aquarium opened in 1981, the jewel of Baltimore City's Inner Harbor redevelopment. With a mission to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures, the Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the nation's top three aquariums and has hosted over 51 million guests since opening. It is Maryland's largest paid tourist attraction, with more than 20,000 fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and marine mammals living in award-winning habitats.

Today, the National Aquarium builds on a 35-plus-year history of local, regional and global conservation initiatives that provide real solutions for protecting aquatic and marine life alongside human communities. We prioritize our work to focus on pressing issues in urban conservation and diversity, climate change and resiliency, and ocean and human health, and advocate for smarter policies at local, state and federal levels. We have rescued, rehabilitated and released hundreds of marine mammals and endangered sea turtles throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, and are active participants in important research efforts. We educate more than 100,000 students each year, helping to create the next generation of environmental stewards. Through education, research, conservation action and advocacy, the National Aquarium is pursuing a vision to change the way humanity cares for our ocean planet.

While this may not be the best lighting and the photo is not tack sharp, I love the smiles of these two girls. Brooklyn lives in California and was here visiting with her Dads. Its been 2-1/2 years since these two have been together. Thank goodness for FaceTime, it makes the miles fade away.

Happy June!!! Love listening to this mans music as we strolled through Fells Point last weekend.

Coffee Shoppe Goodness

May 31, 2018

The Breakfast of Champions....Cookies and Iced Coffee!

Soap Rocks

May 30, 2018

During a visit to Fell's Point we came across these Soap Rocks, aren't they cool!!

T.S. Pink's SoapRocks are fine soaps in the shapes and colors of rocks and gems. These soap rocks are a glycerin soap, infused with natural elements of the earth such as Aloe, Calendula, Chamomile, Comfrey, Lavender, Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, and Almond Oil. Made naturally, and by hand, these stone shaped soaps are original and one of a kind. So what are Soap Rocks? Truly an earthly work of art, and they make the perfect gift! Many people use them to decorate bathrooms in their home, as they are both aesthetically and fragrantly appealing.

Thank you to all those who have severed this country, to all those who are currently serving and those who have given their lives. Take time today to pause, remember and give thanks. You live in the greatest country in the world. Be Proud!

Domino Sugar

May 27, 2018

Yesterday we took my niece to Baltimore to take a ride with the Urban Pirates http://www.urbanpirates.com One of the things I love about this boat ride is that it gives me the opportunity to photograph Baltimores Inner Harbor area with a different perspective.

Todays photos is of the Domino’s Sugar plant. Many people believe the plant is shut down but it is still inoperative and runs 24 hours a day. Here is a bit of info:

Domino is the last major manufacturer still operating in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Long gone are Domino contemporaries and former Inner Harbor icons like Western Electric, Allied Chemical, and Procter & Gamble. They’ve been replaced, to the extent that they have, with service sector giants like Legg Mason, Morgan Stanley and Hilton.
“The ability of a blue-collar worker to earn a good living is only in manufacturing, you don’t go to the service sector for that,” FitzGibbon said.

Domino still operates in Baltimore for a number of reasons: First, they’ve updated their facilities, their methods and their products. Second, their location on the Inner Harbor is ideally suited to their business. And finally, Domino and the rest of the sugar industry have lobbied aggressively to maintain sugar price guarantees from the federal government that help American producers compete with foreign rivals.
Domino has been operating in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for 90 years (the sign is 61 years old). Much of the plant shows its age. Walls and stairways are dingy with industrial grime, heavy steel fire doors have been in place since the 1920s, and some original machinery is still in use, helping to process 6.5 million pounds of raw sugar a day.
But looks can be deceiving. The plant, which recently invested $2 million in new clean air technology, presents a remarkable dichotomy between an aging industrial behemoth and cutting-edge technological innovation.

Whats the best gift you can give an Earth Space Science graduate? Geodes of course! These belonged to my sisters godfather. He was a science teacher in the late 60's and 70's moving later into administration. These geodes were always present on his desk. He passed away over 25 years ago but his wife kept these. She was also in education and spent countless hours with Casey reviewing for her Praxis exams. She had already given the others to her children and grandchildren but saved these for Casey. I think it was the most thought and meaningful gift, don't you?

Drive by

May 25, 2018

I snapped this shot while sitting in traffic. Maryland roadsides can be so beautiful.

Yesterday my daughter graduated with an Bachelors Degree in Earth Space Science and Secondary Education from Towson University. She was the only graduating student in ESS Education field. As you can imagine it is difficultI to express how proud we are of her. She has worked harder than anyone I’ve ever known, she never complained, not once, she always had a smile on her face and would greet each day with compassion, strength and an eagerness to learn. Through the ups and downs she always stayed patient and trusted her journey even when most people would have questioned what they were doing or where they were going. I am excited to see where life takes this beautiful young woman I still call my baby. God has great plans for her and I know she will change the lives of many young people. We love you and are so very Proud.

Ashley

May 22, 2018

It's been a crazy week......I need to slow down the pace for a few months, lol.

This is Ashley, today she gets pinned. She is a Radiologist! Super excited for her.

Been getting ready for a Graduation Party for the last few weeks and it has interfered with my photography and my posting. Love these Cala Lilly's my husband bought me....They will look amazing in the flower beds.

"M" is for the million things she gave me "O" means only that she's growing old "T" is for the tears she shed to save me "H" is for her heart of purest gold "E" is for her eyes with love-light shining "R" means right and right she'll always be Put them all together they spell MOTHER, a word that means the world to me. When I was but a baby, long before I learned to walk, While lying in my cradle, I would try my best to talk; It wasn't long before I spoke and all the neighbors heard, My folks were very proud of me for "Mother" was the word. Although I'll never lay a claim to fame, I'm satisfied that I can spell the name: "M" is for the mercy she possesses "O" means that I owe her all I own "T" is for her tender, sweet caresses "H" is for her hands that made a home "E" means everything she's done to help me "R" means real and regular, you see Put them all together they spell MOTHER, a word that means the world to me

"May the 4th be with you." What started as pun warmly shared by fans has become a full-fledged Star Wars holiday: Star Wars Day, a special once-a-year celebration of the galaxy far, far away.

One of the earliest known records of “May the 4th” used in popular culture is in 1979, as described here by author Alan Arnold while he was chronicling the making of The Empire Strikes Back for Lucasfilm:

FRIDAY, MAY 4
“Margaret Thatcher has won the election and become Britain’s first woman prime minister. To celebrate their victory her party took a half page of advertising space in the London Evening News. This message, referring to the day of victory, was ‘May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations,’ further proof of the extent to which Star Wars has influenced us all.”

Once the Internet allowed Star Wars fans around the world to connect with one another, May the 4th soon became a grassroots tradition each year, with fans online and offline proclaiming it “Star Wars Day.”

While the idea of May the 4th did not start with Lucasfilm, the film company that created Star Wars has fully embraced the spirit of fandom that makes the day so special. StarWars.com, as well as the official Star Wars social media channels (hashtag #StarWarsDay), help spread the word and showcase fan activity. More and more official partners have offered sales, giveaways, and exclusives, and have hosted parties and other activities to honor the day.

Ultimately, as Star Wars Day was created by the fans, it is truly their day. Hosting movie marathons, sharing greetings on social media, cooking Star Wars recipes -- there are no wrong ways to celebrate May the 4th, and each year we're amazed at the creative ways that fans mark the occasion. With Star Wars alive like never before, we hope you'll join in this year.

I started posting photos of the abandoned house in January of 2017, I posted on a regular basis and then decided I'd stop for a few months to see more dramatic change. This photo is quite different than the last and much different from first.

So this happened this morning....pretty much think its the jeeps fault but th is is why tractor trailers scare me and I never like to be beside them. I'm sure the jeep was in a blind spot when the truck went to make the right hand turn. Also pretty sure there are signs posted all over the truck about blind spots etc.

So my friend on the right has been cleaning out her closet and found a few treasure photos...this is one of them. From left to right, my friend Stacey, we've been friends since we were toddlers, 52 years. I am in the middle, and my friend Jody on the right, we've been friends since first grade so 47 years and counting. I couldn't ask for two better friends. They say you are blessed if you can find one true friend in your life, I must be super blessed because I found 2! Don't know what I'd do without them. Love you both!

I think this photo was take in 1989 or 1990...oh to be this fat again and be able to sport that 80's hair! LOL

Farmall was a model name and later a brand name for tractors manufactured by the American company International Harvester (IH). The Farmall name was usually presented as McCormick-Deering Farmall and later McCormick Farmall in the evolving brand architecture of IH.

Farmalls were general-purpose tractors. Their origins were as row-crop tractors, a category that they helped establish and in which they long held a large market share. During the decades of Farmall production (1920s to 1970s), most Farmalls were built for row-crop work, but many orchard, fairway, and other variants were also built. Most Farmalls were all-purpose tractors that were affordable for small to medium-sized family farms and could do enough of the tasks needed on the farm that the need for hired hands was reduced and the need for horses or mules was eliminated. Thus Farmall was a prominent brand in the 20th-century trend toward the mechanization of agriculture in the US.

My sons best friend has lived with us for years. After along process, he was finally accepted into the Baltimore County Fire Academy. 1700 applied 33 were accepted, quite an accomplishment. A few weeks ago they had "Family Night" , we went and were introduced to the Firefighter life. While there I shot this photo of gear ready to put on in a minutes notice. I am thinking of framing this and giving it to him at his graduation in August, what do you think?